In my late teens I was keen to get out of my mum's house ASAP, which meant spending several years living in dingy basement flats and warehouses with no hot water. At times it was a bit grim but it's all part of growing up and it taught me a lot. For me - now I'm living somewhere less squatter-chic - I've learnt to create an illusion of space.

If we can try and pass on our practical know how to our sons, daughters then we can ensure the next generation can grow up not only knowing how to sling an Angry Bird using just their middle finger, but also how to fix the fixable bits and pieces around the house without spending fortunes.